Republic of Moldova to gradually integrate into the European common aviation market

Brussels, 26 October 2011 - The Republic of Moldova and the European Union have today initialled a comprehensive air services agreement at a meeting in Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova. This agreement will open up and integrate the respective markets, strengthen cooperation and offer new opportunities for consumers and airlines. The Republic of Moldova and the EU will develop this "common aviation area" based on common rules in important areas such as aviation safety and security.

Welcoming the agreement, Vice-President Siim Kallas, commissioner responsible for mobility and transport, said: "The comprehensive air services agreement reached in Chisinau today is very important for further strengthening the overall economic, trade and tourism relations between Moldova and the EU. Indeed, it will allow Moldova to become a full partner of the EU in aviation and gradually integrate Moldova into a pan-European aviation market. This is a very important step in our strategy of closer cooperation between the EU and its neighbours, particularly in the context of the Eastern Partnership."

The agreement aims to open the respective markets and to integrate the Republic of Moldova into a wider European common aviation area. It will strengthen aviation relations between the two partners. The Republic of Moldova will harmonise its legislation with European standards and implement EU aviation rules in areas such as aviation safety, security, environment, consumer protection, air traffic management, economic regulation, competition issues and social aspects.

The agreement will be a further step in creating a wider common aviation area between the EU and its neighbours. Similar comprehensive air transport agreements with neighbouring countries have been concluded with the Western Balkan countries, Morocco, Georgia and Jordan – and negotiations are ongoing with Ukraine, Israel and Lebanon.

Air transport is the single most important mode of transport linking the Republic of Moldova to most EU Member States and has been growing steadily in recent years. It is expected that the agreement will offer more travel opportunities, more direct connections and economic benefits for both sides.

As a result of the agreement, all EU airlines will be able to operate direct flights to the Republic of Moldova from anywhere in the EU and vice-versa for Moldovan carriers. The agreement will remove all restrictions on prices and the number of weekly flights between the Republic of Moldova and the EU.

Today, there are direct flight connections between the Republic of Moldova and 13 EU Member States (Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom).

The European Commission received a mandate to negotiate a "common aviation area" agreement with the Republic of Moldova in June 2011. Both sides will now start their respective internal procedures to allow the agreement to be signed and enter into force. On the EU side, the agreement will be forwarded to the Council and the European Parliament. Following signature, the ratification process will begin.